Display device having crack prevention portions on a side portion and method of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display panel having a front portion and at least one side portion that is bent from at least one side of the front portion. The front portion includes first pixels. The side portion includes second pixels and crack prevention portions that are disposed adjacent to the second pixels. A number of the first pixels per unit area disposed in the front portion is greater than a number of the second pixels per unit area disposed in the at least one side portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0075492, filed on Jun. 22, 2020 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts relate to adisplay device and a method of fabricating the same.

2. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

The demand for display dev ices that display images has diversified asthe information society has developed. For example, display devices havebeen applied to various electronic devices such as smart phones, digitalcameras, notebook computers, navigation systems, and smart televisions(TVs).

Flat panel display devices have been developed such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) device, a field emission display (FED) device, an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) display device, and the like. OLED displaydevices provide desirable features such as wide viewing angles,excellent contrast ratios, and fast response speeds. Since OLED displaydevices can be implemented as flexible display devices that are bendableor foldable, the application of OLED display devices to electronicdevices has increased. For example, display devices that display imageson their side portions and are curved from their front portions havebeen developed.

However, as the angle between the side portions of an OLED displaydevice with the front portion of the OLED display device increases, theinorganic films of the OLED display device become increasingly likely tocrack in the side portions. If cracks are generated in the inorganicfilms in the side portions, the organic light-emitting layer of the OLEDdisplay device may not be sufficiently encapsulated and may be oxidized.As a result, some of the pixels in the side portions may not be able toemit light.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts include adisplay device that prevents the propagation of any cracks in inorganicfilms in the side portions thereof a method of fabricating the displaydevice.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts,a display device includes a display panel having a front portion and atleast one side portion that is bent from at least one side of the frontportion. The front portion includes first pixels. The side portionincludes second pixels and crack prevention portions that are disposedadjacent to the second pixels. A number of the first pixels per unitarea disposed in the front portion is greater than a number of thesecond pixels per unit area disposed in the at least one side portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, N second pixels (where N is a positiveinteger) may be disposed between each pair of adjacent crack preventionportions in a first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, N second pixels (where N is a positiveinteger) may be disposed between each pair of adjacent crack preventionportions in a second direction that intersects the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, a size of the crack prevention portions maybe smaller that a size of N second pixels combined.

In an exemplary embodiment, the crack prevention portions may bearranged in a zigzag fashion.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the crack prevention portions may besurrounded by the second pixels.

In an exemplary embodiment, the crack prevention portions may extend inone direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second pixels may be arranged in the onedirection.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pixels and the second pixels eachmay include first, second, third, and fourth emission areas, and shapesof the first, second, third, and fourth emission areas of each of thefirst pixels may be different from shapes of the first, second, third,and fourth emission areas of each of the second pixels.

In an exemplary embodiment, P second pixels (where P is a positiveinteger) may be surrounded by the crack prevention portions.

In an exemplary embodiment, scan lines or data lines may be disposedbetween the second pixels and the crack prevention portions.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the second pixels may include anactive layer of a thin-film transistor, which is disposed on a bufferfilm of a substrate, a first insulating film, which is disposed on theactive layer, a gate electrode of the thin-film transistor, which isdisposed on the first insulating film, a second insulating film, whichis disposed on the gate electrode, first and second electrodes of thethin-film transistor, which are disposed on the second insulating film,and a first organic film, which is disposed on the first and secondelectrodes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the crack prevention portions may includeholes, which expose the substrate through the buffer film and the secondinsulating film.

In air exemplary embodiment, the holes of the crack prevention portionsmay be filled with the first organic film.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts,a display device includes a display panel including a front portion andat least one side portion that is bent from at least one side of thefront portion. The front portion includes first pixels. The at least oneside portion includes second pixels and crack prevention portions thatare disposed adjacent to the second pixels. A size of each of the firstpixels is greater than a size of each of the second pixels.

In an exemplary embodiment, a number of first pixels per unit area ofthe front portion is greater than a number of second pixels per unitarea of the side portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pixels and the second pixels eachinclude first, second, third, and fourth emission areas, and shapes ofthe first, second, third, and fourth emission areas of each of the firstpixels are different from shapes of the first, second, third, and fourthemission areas of each of the second pixels.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pixels and the second pixels eachinclude first, second, third, and fourth emission areas, and sizes ofthe first, second, third, and fourth emission areas of each of the firstpixels are different from sizes of the first, second, third, and fourthemission areas of each of the second pixels.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts,a method of fabricating a display device includes forming thin-filmtransistors and a plurality of inorganic insulating films on asubstrate. Holes that expose the substrate are formed through theplurality of inorganic insulating films. A first organic film is formedon the thin-film transistors and the plurality of inorganic insulatingfilms. An anode electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, and acathode electrode of each of light-emitting elements are formed on thefirst organic film.

In an exemplary embodiment, the holes may be filled with the firstorganic film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present inventive concepts willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the display device of FIG. 1 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display device of FIG. 1 according toan exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a first display area of a front portion of adisplay panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concepts;

FIG. 5 is a layout view of a second display area of a first side portionof the display panel of FIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive concepts;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged layout view of area A of the display panel of FIG.5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcepts;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first side portion of thedisplay panel of FIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concepts;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first side portion of thedisplay panel of FIG. 4 according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concepts;

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a second display area of a first side portionof a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concepts;

FIG. 10 is a layout view of a second display area of a first sideportion of a display parcel according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concepts;

FIG. 11 is at layout view of a second display area of a first sideportion of a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive concepts;

FIG. 12 is at layout view of a second display area of a first sideportion of a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive concepts;

FIG. 13 is a layout view of a first display area of a front portion of adisplay panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concepts;

FIG. 14 is a layout view of a second display area of a first sideportion of the display panel of FIG. 13 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a display device according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of a display device according toother exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fabricating a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcepts; and

FIGS. 20 through 23 are cross-sectional views illustrating the method ofFIG. 19 according to exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout theaccompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when a component, such as a film, a region, alayer, or an element, is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”,“coupled to”, or “adjacent to” another component, the component can bedirectly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other component, orintervening components may be present. It will also be understood thatwhen a component is referred to as being “between” two components, thecomponent can be the only component between the two components, or oneor more intervening components may also be present. It will also beunderstood that when a component is referred to as “covering” anothercomponent, the component can be the only component covering the othercomponent, or one or more intervening components may also be coveringthe other component. Other words use to describe the relationshipbetween elements may be interpreted in a like fashion.

It will be further understood that descriptions of features or aspectswithin each exemplary embodiment are available for other similarfeatures or aspects in other exemplary embodiments, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “under”,“above”, “upper”, etc., may be used herein for ease of description todescribe the relationship of one element or feature to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms “below” and“wider” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.

It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and theelements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in anexemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in anotherexemplary embodiment.

Herein, when one value is described as being about the same as or aboutequal to another value, it is to be understood that the values may besubstantially equal to each other to within a measurement error, or ifmeasurably unequal, are close enough in value to be functionally equalto each other as would be understood by a person having ordinary skillin the art. It will be further understood that when two components ordirections are described as extending substantially parallel orperpendicular to each other, the two components or directions extendexactly parallel or perpendicular to each other, or extend approximatelyparallel, or perpendicular to each other as would be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., within a measurementerror). Other uses of the terms “substantially” and “about” should beinterpreted in a like fashion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device 10 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts. FIG. 2 is a sideview of the display device 10 of FIG. 1 . For convenience ofillustration, a sub-area SBA of FIG. 1 is not illustrated in FIG. 2 .

A display device 10 may be applied to a portable electronic device suchas a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), amobile communication terminal, an electronic notepad, an electronic book(e-book), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, or anultra-mobile PC (UMPC). In some exemplary embodiments, the displaydevice 10 may be applied as the display unit of a television (TV), anotebook computer, a monitor, a billboard, or an Internet-of-Things(IoT) device. In some exemplary embodiments, the display device 10 maybe applied to a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a watchphone aglasses display, or a head-mounted display (HMD). Also, the displaydevice 10 may be applied to the dashboard, the center fascia, or thecenter information display (CID) of a vehicle, the room mirror displayof a vehicle that may replace side-view mirrors, or an entertainmentdisplay disposed at the rear of the front seat of a vehicle. However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto and the display device 10 may be applied to other small, mediumor large sized electronic devices in other exemplary embodiments.

Referring to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the displaydevice 10 may include a display panel 100.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the display device 10may be generally rectangular shaped. However, exemplary embodiments ofthe present inventive concepts are not limited thereto. In thedescription that follows, a first direction extending parallel to anX-axis (hereinafter, the “X direction”) may refer to the direction ofthe relatively shorter sides of the display device 10, for example, ahorizontal direction of the display device 10, a second directionextending parallel to a Y-axis (hereinafter, the “Y direction”) mayrefer to the direction of the relatively longer sides of the displaydevice 10, for example, a vertical direction of the display device 10,and a third direction extending parallel to a Z-axis (hereinafter, the“Z direction”) may be a thickness direction of the display device 10.

The display panel 100 may be a light-emitting display panel includinglight-emitting elements. For example, the display panel 100 may be anorganic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel using QLEDs thatinclude organic light-emitting layers, a micro-light-emitting diode(micro-LED) display panel using micro-LEDs, a quantum-dot light-emittingdiode (QLED) display panel using QLEDs that include quantum-dotlight-emitting layers, or an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) displaypanel using inorganic light-emitting elements that include an inorganicsemiconductor. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. The display panel 100 will hereinafterbe described as being, for example, an QLED display panel forconvenience of explanation.

The display panel 100 may include a main area MA and a sub-area SBA. Themain area MA may include a front portion FS, a first side portion SS1,and a second side portion SS2. While the display panel 100 in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 includes two side portions, in otherexemplary embodiments, the display panel 100 may include at least oneside portion and the numbers of the side portions may vary.

The front portion FS may have a rectangular shape having relativelyshorter sides in the X direction and relatively longer sides in the Ydirection in a plan view (e.g., in a plane defined in the X and Ydirections). However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. In another exemplary embodiment, thefront portion FS may have another polygonal shape or a circular orelliptical shape in the plan view. The corners where the short sides andthe long sides of the front portion FS meet may be rounded withpredetermined curvature or may be right-angled. The front portion FS maybe flat or may include a curved surface.

The first side portion SS1 may extend from a first side of the frontportion FS. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the first side portion SS1 may extend from a first relatively longerside of the front portion FS extending in the Y direction, such as aleft relatively longer side of the front portion FS. The first sideportion SS1 may be bent along a first bending line BL1 disposed on thefirst side of the front portion FS and may have a first curvature. Dueto the bend along the first bending line BL1, the first side portion SS1may not extend in a plane in the X and Y directions. While the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1-2 show the first side of the front portion FS asthe left side of the front portion FS, exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

The second side portion SS2 may extend from a second side of the frontportion FS, For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the second side portion SS2 may extend from a second relatively longerside of the from portion FS extending in the Y direction, such as aright relatively longer side of the front portion FS. The second sideportion SS2 may be bent along a second bending line BL2 disposed on thesecond side of the front portion FS and may have a second curvature. Thesecond curvature may be substantially the same as, or different from,the first curvature. Due to the bend along the second bending line BL2,the second side portion SS2 may not extend in a plane in the X and Ydirections. While the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 show thesecond side of the front portion FS as the right side of the frontportion FS, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts arenot limited thereto.

The sub-area SBA may protrude from a third side of the from portion FS.Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the third side of thefront portion FS may be a relatively shorter side of the front portionFS that extends in the X direction and is at ranged in the direction.For example, the third side of the front portion FS may be the lowerside of the front portion FS (e.g., in the Y direction). However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are, not limitedthereto. The length in the X direction of the sub-area SBA may besmaller than the length in the X direction of the third side of thefront portion FS, and the length in the Y direction of the sub-area SBAmay be smaller than the length in the Y direction of the first andsecond sides of the front portion FS. However, exemplary embodiments ofthe present inventive concepts are not limited thereto. The sub-area SBAmay be bent and may be positioned below the front portion FS (e.g., inthe Z direction). In this exemplary embodiment, the sub-area SBA mayoverlap with the front portion FS in the Z direction.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 , a first angle θ1 thatthe first side portion SS1 is bent from the front portion FS may beabout 90°, and a second angle θ2 at which the second side portion SS2 isbent from the front portion FS may be about 90°. For example, as shownin the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 , the first and second sideportions SS1, SS2 may have a curved surface that extends downwardly andthe lowest portions (e.g., in the Z direction) of the first and secondside portions SS1, SS2 which are disposed furthest from the frontportion FS (e.g., in the X direction) may form the first and secondangles θ1, θ2. However, the greater the angle θ1, the more likelyinorganic films are to crack in the first side portion SS1. The greaterthe angle θ2, the more likely the inorganic films are to crack in thesecond side portion SS2.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the display panel 100 is an OLEDdisplay panel including OLEDs, the OLEDs may be exposed to oxygen due tothe cracking of the inorganic film. For example, the OLEDs may beoxidized due to insufficient encapsulation and may thus remain as darkspots in the first and second side portions SS1 and SS2. Oxidized OLEDsmay not be able to properly emit light. Accordingly, the propagation ofany cracks in the inorganic film should be prevent to avoid the OLEDsfrom being exposed to oxygen.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display device 10 of FIG. 1 .

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 , the front portion FSof the display panel 100 may include a first display area DA1, whichdisplays an image, and a first non-display area NDA1, which does notdisplay an image. The first display area DA1 may extend across amajority of the front portion FS.

The first non-display area NDA1 may include first and secondsub-non-display areas SNDA1 and SNDA2. As shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 3 , the first sub-non-display area SNDA1 may bedisposed on the lower side of the first display area DA1 (e.g., in the Ydirection), and the second sub-non-display area SNDA2 may be disposed onthe upper side of the first display area DA1 (e.g., in the Y direction).The first sub-non-display area SNDA1 may be disposed along the loweredge of the display panel 100, and the second sub-non-display area SNDA2may be disposed along the upper edge of the display panel 100. However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto.

The first side portion SS1 may include a second display area DA2, whichdisplays an image, and a second non-display area NDA2, which does notdisplay an image. The second display area DA2 may be disposed on theleft side of the first display area DA1, and the second non-display areaNDA2 may be disposed on the left side of the second display area DA2.The second non-display area NDA2 may be disposed along the left edge ofthe display panel 100.

The second side portion SS2 may include a third display area DA3, whichdisplays an image, and a third non-display area NDA3, which does notdisplay an image. The third display area DA3 may be disposed on theright side of the first display area DA1, and the third non-display areaNDA3 may be disposed on the right side of the third display area DA3.

The first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 may be divided by a firstbending line BL1. For example, the first display area DA1 may be an areadisposed on the right side of the first bending line BL1, and the seconddisplay area DA2 may be an area disposed on the left side of the firstbending line BL1.

The first and third display areas DA1 and DA3 may be divided by a secondbending line BL2. For example, the first display area DA1 may be an areadisposed on the left side of the second bending line BL2, and the thirddisplay area DA3 may be an area disposed on the right side of the secondbending line BL2.

The sub-area SBA may be disposed on the lower side of the firstsub-non-display area SNDA1 of the front portion FS. A display drivingcircuit 200 and a display circuit board 300 may be disposed in thesub-area SBA.

The display driving circuit 200 may receive control signals and powersupply voltages via the display circuit board 300 and may generatesignals and voltages for driving the display panel 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, the display driving circuit 200 may be attached on thesub-area SBA of the display panel 100 via chip-on-plastic (COP) orultrasonic bonding. However, exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concepts are not limited thereto.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display circuit board 300 may be aflexible printed circuit board that is bendable, a rigid printed circuitboard that is rigid and is not bendable, or a hybrid printed circuitboard, which is a combination of a rigid printed circuit board and aflexible printed circuit board. In an exemplary embodiment, the displaycircuit board 300 may be attached onto pads in the sub-area SBA of thedisplay panel 100 via a low-resistance, high-reliability material suchas an anisotropic conductive film or a self-assembly anisotropicconductive paste (SAP).

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 , since the frontportion FS, the first side portion SS1, and the second side portion SS2of the display panel 100 include the first, second, and third displayareas DA1 DA2, and DA3, respectively, a user can view an image not onlyfrom the front portion FS, but also from the first and second sideportions SS1 and SS2, of the display panel 100. For example, the imageis not only displayed on the first display area DA1 extending in a planein the X and Y directions but is also displayed on the second and thirddisplay areas DA2, DA3 that are disposed on the angled first and secondside portions SS1 and SS2, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a layout view of a first display area DA1 of a front portionFS of a display panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concepts.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 , the first display areaDA1 of the front portion FS may include first pixels PX1, which are fordisplaying an image. Each of the first pixels PX1 may include first,second, third, and fourth subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. The first,second, third, and fourth subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 may bearranged in the X direction.

The first subpixel SP1 may include a first emission are RE, which emitslight of a first color. The second subpixel SP2 may include a secondemission area GE1 which emits light of a second color. The thirdsubpixel SP3 may include a third emission area BE, which emits light ofa third color. The fourth subpixel SP4 may include a fourth emissionarea GE2, which emits light of a fourth color.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourthemission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2 may emit light of different colors.Alternatively, at least two of the first, second, third, and fourthemission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2 may emit light of the same color.For example, the second and fourth emission areas GE1 and GE2 may emitlight of the same color.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourthemission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2 may have a tetragonal shape in aplan view. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first, second,third, and fourth emission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2 may have anon-tetragonal polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an, ellipticalshape in the plan view. FIG. 4 illustrates that the third emission areaBE is largest in size and the second and fourth emission areas GE1 andGE2 are smallest in size and have the same size. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

Second emission areas GE1 and fourth emission areas GE2 may bealternately arranged in the X direction. The second emission areas GE1may be arranged along the Y direction. The fourth emission areas GE2 mayalso be arranged along the Y direction. Each of the fourth emissionareas GE2 may have relatively longer sides in a fourth direction DR4 andrelatively shorter sides in a fifth direction DR5, and each of thesecond emission areas GE1 may have relatively longer sides in the fifthdirection DR5 and relatively shorter sides in the fourth direction DR4.The fourth direction DR4 may be a diagonal direction disposed betweenthe X and Y directions, and the fifth direction DR5 may be a directionthat intersects the fourth direction DR4. For example, the fifthdirection DR5 may be orthogonal to the fourth direction DR4.

First emission areas RE and third emission areas BE may be alternatelyarranged in the X direction. The first emission areas RE may be arrangedalong the Y direction. The third emission areas BE may be arranged alongthe Y direction. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 , thefirst emission areas RE and the third emission areas BE may have arhombus shape in a plan view (e.g., in a plane defined in the X and Ydirections). In this exemplary embodiment, the first emission areas REand the third emission areas BE may each have first sides that extend inthe fourth direction DR4 and second sides that extend in the fifthdirection DR5.

FIG. 5 is a layout view of a second display area DA2 of a first sideportion SS1 of the display panel 100 of FIG. 4 .

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 , the second displayarea DA2 of the first side portion SS1 may include second pixels PX2,which are for displaying an image, and crack prevention portions CPA.

Each of the second pixels PX2 may include first, second, third, andfourth subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. The first, second, third, andfourth subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 are substantially the same astheir respective counterparts of FIG. 4 , and thus, detaileddescriptions thereof will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

The greater an angle θ1 at which the first side portion SS1 is bent froma front portion FS, the more likely the inorganic films in the firstside portion SS1 are to crack. Thus, the second display area DA2 mayinclude the rack prevention portions CPA, which preventing thepropagation of cracks. The crack prevention portions CPA may not includeat least some of the inorganic films. As a result, any cracks in theinorganic films may not be propagated further due to the crackprevention portions CPA.

The second pixels PX2 may be disposed on the crack prevention portionsCPA. For example, the second pixels PX2 may be disposed adjacent to thecrack prevention portions CPA (e.g., in the X and or Y directions) andmay not overlap with the crack prevention portions CPA. In an exemplaryembodiment, the number of second pixels PX2 per unit area of the seconddisplay area DA2 may be less than the number of first pixels PM per unitarea of the first display area DA1 of the front portion FS. For example,the space in which the crack prevention portions CPA are disposed mayreduce the number of second pixels PX2 per unit area in the seconddisplay area DA2 of the first side portion SS1. The unit area may be anarea of any length which may be used for comparing a pixel densitybetween various portions of the display device, etc.

The crack prevention portions CPA may be disposed adjacent to the secondpixels PX2 in each of the X and Y directions. For example, the crackprevention portions CPA may be arranged in a zigzag Fashion. The crackprevention portions CPA may be surrounded by the second pixels PX2. Forexample, each of the crack prevention portions CPA may be completelysurrounded by the second pixels PX2 in the X and Y directions.

N second pixels PX2 may be disposed between each pair of adjacent crackprevention portions CPA in the X direction. N second pixels PX2 may bedisposed between each pair of adjacent crack prevention portions CPA inthe direction. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 , two second pixelsPX2 are disposed between each pair of adjacent crack prevention portionsCPA in the X direction and between each pair of adjacent crackprevention portions CPA in the direction. However, exemplary embodimentsof the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto and the numberN of the second pixels PX2 disposed between each pair of adjacent crackprevention portions CPA in the X and directions may vary in otherexemplary embodiments. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, thenumber of the second pixels PX2 disposed between each pair of adjacentcrack prevention portions CPA in the X direction may be different thanthe number of the second pixels PX2 disposed between each pair ofadjacent crack prevention portions CPA in the Y direction.

The second pixels PX and the crack prevention portions CPA may bealternately arranged in the X direction. For example, the second pixelsPX2 and the crack prevention portions CPA may be arranged in the Xdirection in the order of two second pixels PX2, a crack preventionportion CPA, two second pixels PX2, and a crack prevention portion CPA.

The second pixels PX and the crack prevention portions CPA may bealternately arranged in the Y direction. For example, the second pixelsPX2 and the crack prevention portions CPA may be arranged in the Ydirection in the order of two second pixels PX2, a crack preventionportion CPA, two second pixels PX2, and a crack prevention portion CPA.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 , space in whichthe crack prevention portions CPA are arranged may be secured byreducing the number of second pixels PX2 per unit area of the seconddisplay area DA2 of the first side portion SS1 to be smaller than thenumber of first pixels PX1 per unit area of the first display area DA1.Therefore, any cracks in the inorganic films in the first side portionSS1 may not be able to be propagated past the crack prevention portionsCPA and thus the further propagation of the crack may be prevented.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1, and thus, a detailed description thereofwill be omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged layout view of a crack prevention portion CPA andadjacent second pixels PX2 in the first side portion SS1 of the displaypanel 100 of FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 illustrates air enlarged view of an area Aof FIG. 5 .

For convenience of illustration, FIG. 6 illustrates first and secondscan lines SL1 and SL2, which overlap with second pixels PX2 that are onthe left or right side of a crack prevention portion CPA (e.g., in the Xdirection) and first to fourth data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 whichoverlap with second pixels PX2 that are disposed on the upper or lowerside of the crack prevention portion CPA (e.g., in the Y direction).

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 , the first and secondscan lines SL1 and SL2 and the first to fourth data lines DL1, DL2, DL3,and DL4 may be disposed between the crack prevention portion CPA and thesecond pixels PX2. The crack prevention portion CPA may be surrounded bya wiring area LA (FIG. 7 ). In an exemplary embodiment, at least one ofscan lines, such as the first and second scan lines SL1, SL2, and datalines, such as first to fourth data lines DL1-DL4, are disposed betweenthe second pixels PX2 and the crack prevention portion CPA.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the crack prevention portion CPA hasa tetragonal shape in a plan view, the wiring area LA may also have theshape of a tetragonal frame in a plan view. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the crack preventionportion CPA may have a non-tetragonal polygonal shape, a circular shape,an elliptical shape, or an amorphous shape in a plan view, and thewiring area LA may also have the shape of a non-tetragonal polygonalframe, a circular frame, an elliptical frame, or an amorphous frame in aplan view.

The first scan line SL1 may include a plurality of sub-scan lines, suchas a first scan initialization line GIL1, a first scan write line GWL1,and a first emission line EL1. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 6 , the first scan initialization line GIL1, the first scan writeline GWL1, and the first emission line EL1 may overlap with upper secondpixels PX2 among the second pixels PX2 disposed on the left side of thecrack prevention portion CPA. The first scan initialization line GIL1,the first scan write line GWL1, and the first emission line EL1 may alsooverlap with upper second pixels PX2 among the second pixels PX2disposed on the right side of the crack prevention portion CPA.

The first scan initialization line GIL1, the first scan write line GWL1,and the first emission line EL1 may extend in the X direction across thesecond pixels PX2. At least one of the first scan initialization lineGIL1, the first scan write line GWL1, and the first emission line EL1may be bent multiple times in the wiring area LA so that they do notextend in the crack prevention portion CPA. For example, the first scaninitialization line GIL1, the first scan write line GWL1, and the firstemission line EL1 may be bent in the Y direction on the left side of thewiring area LA, may be bent in the X direction at the corner where theleft and upper sides of the wiring area LA meet, may be bent in the Ydirection at the corner where the right and upper sides of the wiringarea LA meet, and may be bent in the X direction on the right side ofthe wiring area LA. While the first scan initialization line GIL1 is notbent in the wiring area LA in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 ,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto.

Due to the presence of the wiring area LA, the size of each crackprevention portion CPA may be smaller than the combined size of N secondpixels PX2. For example, the size of the crack prevention portion CPAmay be smaller than the combined size of N second pixels PX2 in the Xand/or Y directions. The size of the crack prevention portion CPAdecreases as the size of the wiring area LA increases. As the size ofthe crack, prevention portion CPA decreases, there is a greaterlikelihood that the cracks in the inorganic films may be propagatedthrough the crack prevention portion CPA. Thus, to minimize the size ofthe wiring area LA, the distances between the first scan initializationline GIL1 and the first scan write line GWL1 and between the first scanwrite line GWL1 and the first emission line EL1 may be smaller in thewiring area LA than these distances are in portions of the first scaninitialization line GIL1, the first scan write line GWL1 and the firstemission line EL1 that overlap the second pixels PX2.

A second scan line SL2 may include a plurality of sub-scan lines, suchas a second scan initialization line GIL2, a second scan write lineGWL2, and a second emission line EL2. The second scan initializationline GIL2, the second scan write line GWL2, and the second emission lineEL2 may overlap with lower second pixels PX2 among the second pixels PX2disposed on the left side of the crack prevention portion CPA. Thesecond scan initialization line GIL2, the second scan write line GWL2,and the second emission line EL2 may also overlap with lower secondpixels PX2 among the second pixels PX2 disposed on the right side of thecrack prevention portion CPA.

The second scan initialization line GIL2, the second scan write lineGWL2, and the second emission line EL2 may extend in the X directionacross the second pixels PX2. The second scan initialization line GIL2,the second scan write line GWL2, and the second emission line EL2 may bebent multiple times in the wiring area LA so that they do not extend inthe crack prevention portion CPA. For example, the second scaninitialization line GIL2, the second scan write line GWL2, and thesecond emission line EL2 may be bent in the Y direction on the left sideof the wiring area LA, may be bent in the X direction at the cornerwhere the left and lower sides of the wiring area LA meet, may be bentin the Y direction at the corner where the right and lower sides of thewiring area LA meet, and may be bent in the X direction on the rightside of the wiring area LA. While the second emission line is not bentin the wiring area LA in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 , exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

To minimize the size of the wiring area LA, the distances between thesecond scan initialization line GIL2 and the second scan write line GWL2and between the second scan write line GWL2 and the second emission lineEL2 may be smaller in the wiring area LA than these distances are inportions of the second scan initialization line GIL2, the second scanwrite line GWL2 and the second emission line EL2 that overlap the secondpixels PX2.

The first to fourth data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 may overlap withthe second pixels PX2 that are disposed on the upper or lower side ofthe crack prevention portion CPA (e.g., in the Y direction). The firstto fourth data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 may extend in the Ydirection across the second pixels PX2.

The data lines (DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4) may be bent multiple times inthe wiring area LA so that the do not extend within the crack preventionportion CPA. For example, the first and second data lines DL1 and DL2may be bent in the X direction on the upper side of the wiring area LA,may be bent in the direction at the corner where the left and uppersides of the wiring area. LA meet, may be bent in the X direction at thecorner where the left and lower sides of the wiring area LA meet, andmay be bent in the Y direction on the lower side of the wiring area LA.While the first data line DL1 is not bent in the wiring area LA in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 , exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concepts are not limited thereto. For example, the third andfourth data lines DL3 and DL4 may be bent in the X direction on theupper side of the wiring area LA, may be bent in the Y direction at thecorner where the right and upper sides of the wiring area LA meet, maybe bent in the X direction at the corner where the right and lower sidesof the wiring area LA meet, and may be bent in the Y direction on thelower side of the wiring area LA.

To minimize the size of the wiring area LA, the distances between thefirst data line DL1 and the second data line DL2 and between the thirdand fourth data lines DL3 and DL4 may be smaller in the wiring area LAthan these distances are in portions of the first to fourth data lineDL1-DL4 that overlap the second pixels PX2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the first side portionSS1 of the display panel 100 of FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 illustrate an exemplarycross-sectional view, taken along line 1-1′ of FIG. 6 , of the displaypanel of FIG. 5 .

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 , a first buffer filmBF1 may be disposed on a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2may be disposed on the first buffer film BF1, and a second buffer filmBF2 may be disposed on the second substrate SUB2.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second substrates SUB1 andSUB2 may be formed of an insulating material such as, a polymer resin.For example, the first and second substrates SUB1 and SUB2 may includepolyimide. The first and second substrates SUB1 and SUB2 may be flexiblesubstrates that are bendable, foldable, or rollable. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

The first and second buffer films BF1 and BF2 may be films forprotecting thin-film transistors (TFTs) ST of a TFT layer andlight-emitting layers 172 of a light-emitting element layer EML frommoisture that may penetrate the first and second substrates SUB1 andSUB2, which are susceptible to moisture. Each of the first and secondbuffer films BF1 and BF2 may consist of a plurality of inorganic filmsthat are alternately stacked. For example, each of the first and secondbuffer films BF1 and BF2 may be formed as a multilayer film in which atleast one inorganic film selected from among a silicon nitride layer, asilicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer,and an aluminum oxide layer are alternately stacked.

A light-blocking layer BML may be disposed on the second substrate SUB2.The light-blocking layer BML may be disposed to overlap with activelayers ACT of the TFTs ST in the Z direction to prevent the generationof a leakage current when light is incident upon the active layers ACTof the TFTs ST. In an exemplary embodiment, the light-blocking layer BMLmay be formed as a single- or multilayer film including molybdenum (Mo),aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), and an alloy thereof. However, exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited theretoand in some exemplary embodiments the light-blocking layer BML may notbe provided.

The active layers ACT of the TFTs ST may be disposed on the secondbuffer film BF2. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 7 , a lower surface of the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST maydirectly contact an upper surface of the second buffer film BF2. In anexemplary embodiment, the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST may includeat least one compound selected from polycrystalline silicon,monocrystalline silicon, low-temperature polycrystalline silicon,amorphous silicon, and an oxide semiconductor. The active layers ACT ofthe TFTs ST that are not covered (e.g., are exposed) by a gateinsulating film 130 may be doped with impurities or ions and may thushave conductivity. Thus, source electrodes S and drain electrodes D ofthe TFTs ST that have conductivity may be formed.

The gate insulating film 130 may be disposed on portions e.g., partialportions) of the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST. In an exemplaryembodiment, the gate insulating film 130 may be formed as an inorganicfilm and may include at least one layer selected from a silicon nitridelayer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titaniumoxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer.

Gate electrodes G of the TFTs ST and the scan lines (SL1 and SL2) may bedisposed on the gate insulating film 130. For example, as shown in theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 , a lower surface of the gate electrodesG of the TFTs ST may directly contact an upper surface of the gateinsulating film 130. The gate electrodes G of the TFTs ST may overlapwith the active layers ACT in the Z direction. FIG. 7 illustrates onlythe second scan initialization line GIL2 among the sub-scan lines ofeach of the first and second scan lines SL1 and SL2. In an exemplaryembodiment, the gate electrodes G of the TFTs ST and the first andsecond scan lines SL1 and SL2 may be formed as single- or multilayerlayers which include at least one compound selected from Mo, Al, Cr, Au,Ti, Ni, Nd, Cu, and an alloy thereof.

A first interlayer insulating film 141 may be disposed on the gateelectrodes G of the TFTs ST and the first and second scan lines SL1 andSL2. In an exemplary embodiment, the first interlayer insulating film141 may be formed as an inorganic film such as, for example, at leastone layer selected from a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitridelayer, a silicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and an aluminumoxide layer. The first interlayer insulating film 141 may include aplurality of inorganic films.

Capacitor electrodes CAE may be disposed on the first interlayerinsulating film 141. The capacitor electrodes CAE may overlap with thegate electrodes G of the TFTs ST in the Z direction. Since the firstinterlayer insulating film 141 has a predetermined dielectric constant,capacitors may be formed between the capacitor electrodes CAE, the gateelectrodes G, and the first interlayer insulating film 141. In anexemplary embodiment, the capacitor electrodes CAE may be formed assingle- or multilayer layers that include at least one compound selectedfrom Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, Cu, and an alloy thereof.

A second interlayer insulating film 142 may be disposed on the capacitorelectrodes CAE. The second interlayer insulating film 142 may be formedas an inorganic film such as, for example, at least one layer selectedfrom a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a siliconoxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer. Thesecond interlayer insulating film 142 may include a plurality ofinorganic films.

First anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 and the first to fourth datalines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 may be disposed on the second interlayerinsulating film 142. The first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 may beconnected to the drain electrodes D of the TFTs ST through first anodecontact holes ANCT1, winch expose the drain electrodes D of the TFTs STthrough the first and second interlayer insulating films 141 and 142.The first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 and the first to fourth datalines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 may be formed as single- or multilayerlayers that include at least one compound selected from Mo, Al, Cr Au,Ti, Ni, Nd, Cu, and an alloy thereof.

A first organic film 160, which is for planarization, may be disposed onthe first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 and the first to fourth datalines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4. In an exemplary embodiment, the firstorganic film 160 may be formed as an organic film including an acrylicresin, an epoxy resin, a phenolic resin, a polyamide resin, or apolyimide resin.

Second anode connecting electrodes ANDE2 may be disposed on the firstorganic film 160. The second anode connecting electrodes ANDE2 may beconnected to the first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 through secondanode contact holes ANCT2, which expose the first anode connectingelectrodes ANDE1 through the first organic film 160. In an exemplaryembodiment, the second anode connecting electrodes ANDE2 may be formedas single- or multilayer layers that include at least one compoundselected from Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, Cu, and an alloy thereof.

A second organic film 180 may be disposed on the second anode connectingelectrodes ANDE2. The second organic film 180 may be formed as anorganic film including an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a phenolicresin, a polyamide resin, or a polyimide resin.

FIG. 7 illustrates that the TFTs ST are formed as top-gate TFTs in whichthe gate electrodes G are disposed above the active layers ACT. However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto. For example in other exemplary embodiments, the TFTs ST may beformed as bottom-gate TFTs in which the gate electrodes G are disposedbelow the active layers ACT or as double-gate TFTs in which the gateelectrodes G are disposed both above and below the active layers ACT.

Light-emitting elements 170 and a bank 190 may be disposed on the secondorganic film 180. Each of the light-emitting elements 170 may include afirst light-emitting electrode 171, a light-emitting layer 172, and asecond light-emitting electrode 173.

The first light-emitting electrodes 171 may be disposed on the secondorganic film 180. The first light-emitting electrodes 171 may beconnected to the second anode connecting of electrodes ANDE2 throughthird anode contact holes ANCT3, which expose the second anodeconnecting electrodes ANDE2 through the second organic film 180.

In a top-emission structure that emits light in a direction from thelight-emitting layer 172 to the second light-emitting electrode 173, thefirst light-emitting electrodes 171 may be formed of a metallic materialwith high reflectance such as a stack of Al and Ti (e.g., Ti/Al/Ti), astack of Al and indium tin oxide (ITO) (e.g., ITO/Al/ITO), a silver(Ag)-palladium (Pd)-copper (Cu) (APC) alloy, or a stack of an APC alloyand ITO (e.g., ITO/APC/ITO).

The bank 190 may be disposed on the second organic film 180 to separatethe first light-emitting electrodes 171 and thus to define the first tofourth emission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2. As shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 7 , the bank 190 may be formed to cover lateral edgesof each of the first light-emitting electrodes 171. In an exemplaryembodiment, the bank 190 may be formed as an organic film that includesat least one material selected from an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, aphenolic resin, a polyamide resin, and a polyimide resin,

The first to fourth emission areas RE, Gill, BE, and GE2 may refer toregions where the first light-emitting electrodes 171, thelight-emitting layers 172, and the second light-emitting electrode 173are sequentially stacked so that holes from the first light-emittingelectrodes 171 and electrons from the second light-emitting electrode173 combine together in the light-emitting, layers 172 to emit light.

For convenience, FIG. 7 illustrates only the second and fourth emissionareas GE1 and GE2 of the first to fourth emission areas RE, GE1, BE, andGE2. First emission areas RE and third emission areas BE may besubstantially the same as the second and fourth emission areas GE1 andGE2 of FIG. 7 , and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omittedfor convenience of explanation.

The light-emitting layers 172 are disposed on the first light-emittingelectrodes 171 and the bank 190. In an exemplary embodiment, thelight-emitting layers 172 may include an organic material and may thusemit light of a particular color. For example, the light-emitting layers172 may include hole transport layers, organic material layers, andelectron transport layers.

The second light-emitting electrode 173 are disposed on thelight-emitting layers 172. The second light-emitting, electrode 173 maybe arranged to extend (e.g., in the Y direction) to cover each of thelight-emitting layers 172. For example, the second light-emittingelectrode 173 may be a common layer formed in common throughout all thefirst to fourth emission areas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2. A capping layer maybe disposed on the second light-emitting electrode 173.

In the top-emission structure, the second light-emitting electrode 173may be formed of a transparent metallic material such as at least onecompound selected from ITO or indium zinc oxide (IZO) or asemitransparent metallic material such as magnesium (Mg), Ag, or analloy thereof. In an exemplary embodiment in which the secondlight-emitting electrode 173 is formed of a semitransparent metallicmaterial, the emission efficiency of the second light-emitting electrode173 may be improved due to micro-cavities.

An encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the second light-emittingelectrode 173. The encapsulation layer TFE may include at least oneinorganic film for preventing the penetration of oxygen or moisture intothe light-emitting element layer EML. The encapsulation layer TFE mayalso include at least one organic film for protecting the light-emittingelement layer EML from foreign materials such as dust. For example, asshown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 , the encapsulation layerTFE may include a first inorganic film TFE1, an organic film TFE2, and asecond inorganic film TFE3.

The first inorganic film TFE1 may be disposed on the secondlight-emitting electrode 173, the organic film TFE2 may be disposed onthe first inorganic film TFE1, and the second inorganic film TFE3 may bedisposed on the organic film TFE2. Each of the first and secondinorganic films TFE1 and TFE3 may be formed as a multilayer film inwhich at least one inorganic film selected from among a silicon nitridelayer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, a titaniumoxide layer, and an aluminum oxide layer is alternately stacked. Theorganic film TFE2 may include a monomer.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 , the second buffer filmBF2, the gate insulating film 130, the first interlayer insulating film141, and the second interlayer insulating film 142 may not be includedin the crack prevention portion CPA. For example, a hole CPH whichexposes the second substrate SUB2 through the second buffer film BF2,the gate insulating film 130, the first interlayer insulating film 141,and the second interlayer insulating film 142, may be formed in thecrack prevention portion CPA. In an exemplary embodiment, the hole CPHmay be filled with the first organic film 160. For example, a lowersurface of the first organic film 160 may directly contact an uppersurface of the second substrate SUB2.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second interlayer insulating film 142may be disposed only on the first interlayer insulating film 141. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the second interlayer insulating film 142 maynot cover lateral side surfaces of each of the second butter film BF2,the gate insulating film 130, and the first interlayer insulating film141 that are exposed through the hole CPH.

Alternatively, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 ,the second interlayer insulating film 142 may be disposed on the lateralside surfaces of each of the second buffer film BF2 and the firstinterlayer insulating film 141 that are exposed through the hole CPH, toimprove an encapsulation effect. In an exemplary embodiment, lateralside surfaces of the gate insulating film 130 may also be disposedproximate the hole CPU and the second interlayer insulating film 142 maybe disposed on the lateral side surfaces of the gate insulating film130. The second interlayer insulating film 142 may be disposed onpartial portion of the second substrate SUB2 that is exposed through thehole CPH.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 , even if cracks aregenerated in at least one of the second buffer film BF2, the gateinsulating film 130, and the first interlayer insulating film 141, thecracks cannot be propagated any further by the crack prevention portionCPA because the second buffer film BF2, the gate insulating film 130 thefirst interlayer insulating film 141, and the second interlayerinsulating film 142 are not included in (e.g., removed from) the crackprevention portion CPA.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the first sideportion SS1 of the display panel 100 of FIG. 4 . FIG. 8 illustratesanother exemplary cross-sectional view, taken along line of FIG. 6 , ofthe display panel 100 of FIG. 5 .

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 7 based on the hole CPH′ in the crack prevention portion CPA notincluding the first organic film 160, the second organic film 180, andthe bank 190 in addition to the second buffer film BF2, the gateinsulating film 130, the first interlayer insulating, film 141, and thesecond interlayer insulating film 142. The exemplary embodiment of FIG.8 will hereinafter be described, focusing mainly on the differences withthe embodiment of FIG. 7 and a repeated description of substantiallyidentical elements will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a hole CPH′, which exposes the second substrateSUB2 through the second buffer film BF2, the first interlayer insulatingfilm 141, the second interlayer insulating film 142, the first organicfilm 160, the second organic film 180, and the bank 190, may be formedin the crack prevention portion CPA. The hole CPH′ may be filled withthe organic film TFE2 of the encapsulation layer TFE. The organic filmTFE2 of the encapsulation layer TFE may be in contact with the secondsubstrate SUB2. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 8 , a lower surface of the organic film TFE2 may directly contactan upper surface of the second substrate SUB2.

The first inorganic film TFE1 of the encapsulation layer TFE may bedisposed on lateral side surfaces of each of the second buffer film BF2,the gate insulating film 130, the first interlayer insulating film 141,the first organic film 160, the second organic film 180, and the bank190 that are exposed through the hole CPH′, to increase theencapsulation effect of the encapsulation layer TEE. Additionally, thefirst inorganic film TFE1 of the encapsulation layer may directlycontact a partial portion of the second substrate SUB2 that is exposedby the hole CPH′.

Alternatively, the first inorganic film TFE1 of the encapsulation layerTFE may not cover the lateral side surfaces of each of the second bufferfilm BF2, the gate insulating film 130, the first interlayer insulatingfilm 141, the first organic film 160, the second organic film 180, andthe bank 190 that are exposed through the hole CPH′. In this exemplaryembodiment, the first inorganic film TFE1 of the encapsulation layer TFEmay be disposed only on the bank 190.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 , even if cracksare generated in at least one of the second buffer film BE2, the firstinterlayer insulating film 141, and the second interlayer insulatingfilm 142, the cracks are not propagated through the crack preventionportion CPA because the second buffer film BF2, the gate insulating film130, and the second interlayer insulating film 142 are not included inthe crack prevention portion CPA.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the first organic film 160, thesecond organic fill 180, and the bank 190 are formed of polyimide, whichhas a high absorption rate for short-wavelength light (e.g., blue light)and is thus capable of short-wavelength light, the crack preventionportion CPA with the first organic film 150, the second organic film180, and the bank 190 removed therefrom may serve as a transmissiveregion that can transmit light therethrough.

In an exemplary embodiment in which a sensor device is disposed tooverlap with the crack prevention portions CPA (e.g., in the Zdirection) in the first side portion SS1, the sensor device may detectlight incident from the front of the display device 10 through the crackprevention portions CPA. For example, the sensor device may be an imagesensor for capturing an image, a proximity sensor for detecting anobject in the proximity of the front surface of the display device 30,or an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance at the frontsurface of the display device 10.

FIG. 9 is a layout view of a second display area DA2 of a first sideportion SS1 of a display panel 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 5 by including four second pixels PX2 that are disposed betweeneach pair of adjacent crack prevention portions CPA in the X directionand between each pair of adjacent crack prevention portions CPA in the Ydirection. Therefore, a detailed description of substantially identicalelements included in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 will be omittedfor convenience of explanation.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 ,and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for convenienceof explanation.

FIG. 10 is a layout view of a second display area DA2 of a first sideportion SS1 of a display panel 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 differs from the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5 based on the crack prevention portions CPA andsecond pixels PX2 both extending longitudinally in the Y direction andare alternately arranged in the X direction. Thus, a repeateddescription of substantially identical elements included in the priorexemplary embodiments will be omitted for convenience of explanation.However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are notlimited thereto and the crack prevention portions CPA and second pixelsPX2 may extend longitudinally in one direction and the second pixels PX2may be arranged in the one direction that is different than the Ydirection. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, the crackprevention portions CPA and second pixels PX2 may both extendlongitudinally in the X direction and may be alternately arranged in theY direction.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1 of FIG. 10 , and thus, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 11 is a layout view of a second display area DA2 of a first sideportion SS1 of a display panel 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 differs from the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5 based on the second pixels PX2′ of a second displayarea DA2 having a different shape from the first pixels PX1 of a firstdisplay area DA1.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , each of the secondpixels PX2 may include first, second, third, and fourth subpixels SP1′,SP2′, SP3′, and SP4′. The second and fourth subpixels SP2′ and SP4′ maybe disposed between the first and third subpixels SP1′ and SP3′ in the Xdirection. The second and fourth subpixels SP2′ and SP4′ may be arrangedin the Y direction. The second subpixel SP2′ may be disposed above thefourth subpixel SP4′. The length, in the Y direction, of the firstsubpixel SP1′ and the fourth subpixel SP4′ may be greater than thelengths, in the Y direction, of the second and fourth subpixels SP2′ andSP4′. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , thelengths of the second and the fourth subpixels SP2′, SP4′ in the Ydirection may each be approximately half the size of the lengths of thefirst and the third subpixels SP1′, SP3′ in the Y direction. Thecombined length of the second and the fourth subpixels SP2′, SP4′ in theY direction may be approximately the same as the length of the first andthe third subpixels SP1′, SP3′ in the Y direction.

First emission areas RE′ and third emission areas BE′ may each have arectangular shape having relatively shorter sides in the X direction andrelatively longer sides in the Y direction in a plan view. However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto. Alternatively, the first emission areas RE′ and the thirdemission areas BE′ may have a non-rectangular tetragonal shape, anon-tetragonal polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shapein a plan view. The size of the third emission areas BE′ may be greaterthan the size of the first emission areas RE′. The length in the Ydirection of the first emission areas RE′ may be greater than thelength, in the Y direction of the third emission areas RE′.

Second emission areas GE1′ and fourth emission areas GE2′ may each havea rectangular shape having relatively shorter sides in the X directionand relatively longer sides in the Y direction in a plan view (e.g., ina plane defined in the X and Y directions). However, exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limited thereto.Alternatively, the second emission areas GE1′ and the fourth emissionareas GE2′ may have a non-rectangular tetragonal shape, a non-tetragonalpolygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape in a planview. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , the secondemission areas GE1′ and the fourth emission areas GE2′ may have the samesize.

A crack prevention portion CPA may be disposed to surround every Psecond pixels PX2′ (where P is a positive integer). FIG. 11 illustratesthat the crack prevention portion CPA surrounds every two adjacentsecond pixels PX2′ that are adjacent to each other in the Y direction.As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , the crack preventionportion CPA may completely surround the two adjacent second pixels PX2′(e.g., in the X and Y directions). However exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concepts are not limited thereto. Alternatively, thecrack prevention portion CPA may be disposed to surround every twoadjacent second pixels PX2′ that are adjacent to each other in the Xdirection. Alternatively, the crack prevention portion CPA may bedisposed to surround every three adjacent second pixels PX2′ thatadjacent to each other in the X direction or in the Y direction.Alternatively, the crack prevention portion CPA may be disposed tosurround every four or more adjacent second pixels PX2′ that areadjacent to each other in the X direction or in the Y direction.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 , the crackprevention portion CPA is disposed to surround the adjacent secondpixels PX2′ in both the X and Y direction. Thus, even if cracks aregenerated in inorganic films in the first side portion SS1 the crackscannot be propagated any further by the crack prevention portion CPA.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1 of FIG. 11 , and thus, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 12 is a layout view of a second display area DA2 of a first sideportion SS1 of a display panel 100 according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12 differs from the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5 based on the size of second pixels PX2″ of thesecond display area DA2 differing from the size of the first pixels PX1of a first display area DA1.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12 the size of secondpixels PX2″ of a second display area DA2 may be smaller than the size offirst pixels PX1 of a first display area DA1. In contrast to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 in which a pair of second pixels PX2 thatare adjacent to each other in the Y direction are in direct contact witheach other, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12 , each of the secondpixels PX2′ are spaced apart from each other in both the X and Ydirections. As a result, a crack prevention portion CPA may be disposedbetween every two adjacent second pixels PX2″ in both the X and Ydirections. Accordingly, there is no need to secure separate space forthe crack prevention portion CPA and the crack prevention portion CPAmay be disposed in the existing spaces between adjacent second pixelsPX2″. Thus, the number of second pixels PX2″ per unit area of the seconddisplay area DA2 of the first side portion SS1 may be substantially thesame as the number of first pixels PX1 of the first display area DA1 ofa front portion FS. Therefore, the resolution of the first side portionSS1 may be substantially the same as the resolution of the front portionFS.

Since the size of the second pixels PX2″ of the second display area DA2is smaller than the size of the first pixels PX1 of the first displayarea DA1, the sizes of first, second, third, and fourth subpixels SP1″,SP2″, SP3″, and SP4″ of each of the second pixels PX2″ may be smallerthan the sizes of first, second, third, and fourth subpixels SP1, SP2,SP3, and SP4 of each of the first pixels PX1.

Also, since the size of the second pixels PX2″ of the second displayarea DA2 is smaller than the size of the first pixels PX1 of the firstdisplay area DA1, the sizes of first, second, third, and fourth emissionareas RE″, GE1″, BE″, and GE2″ of each of the second pixels PX2″ may besmaller than the sizes of first, second, third, and fourth emissionareas RE, GE1, BE, and GE2 of each of the first pixels PX1. The shapesof the first, second, third, and fourth emission areas RE″, GE1″, BE″,and GE2″ of each of the second pixels PX2″ may be substantially the sameas is the shapes of the first, second, third, and fourth emission areasRE, GE1, BE, and GE2 of each of the first pixels PX1.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12 , the size of eachof the second pixels PX2″ of the second display area DA2 of the firstside portion SS1 may be reduced to be smaller than the size of each ofthe first pixels PX1 of the first display area DA1 of the front portionFS. As a result, even if the number of second pixels PX2″ per unit areaof the second display area DA2 of the first side portion SS1 is the sameas the number of first pixels PX1 per unit area of the first displayarea DA1 of the from portion FS, the crack prevention portion CPA may beprovided in the first side portion SS1. Thus, the propagation of cracksin inorganic films may be prevented by the crack prevention portion CPAwithout the need to secure separate space for the crack preventionportion CPA.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1 of FIG. 12 , and thus, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 13 is a layout view of a first display area DA1 of a front portionFS of a display panel 100 according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present inventive concepts. FIG. 14 is a layout view of a seconddisplay area DA2 of a first side portion SS1 of the display panel 100 ofFIG. 13 .

The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 based on each of first pixels PX1′″includes three subpixels, such as the first, second, and third subpixelsSP1′″ SP2′″ and SP3′″, and each of second pixels PX2′″ including threesubpixels, such as the first, second, and third subpixels SP1′″, SP2′″,and SP3′″.

Referring to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 , each of thefirst pixels PX1′″ may include first, second, and third subpixels SP1′″,SP2′″, and SP3′″ as compared to the first pixels PX1 of FIG. 4 whichincludes first to fourth subpixels SP1, SP2 SP3, SP4. The first, second,and third subpixels SP1′″, SP2′″, and SP3′″ may be arranged in the Xdirection.

The first subpixel SP1′″ may include a first emission area RE′″, whichemits light of a first color. The second subpixel SP2′″ may include asecond emission area GE′″, which emits light of a second color. Thethird subpixel SP3″ may include a third emission area BE′″, which emitslight of a third color. The first, second, and third emission areasRE′″, GE′″, and BE′″ may emit light of different colors.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 , the first emissionareas RE′″, second emission areas GE′″, and third emission areas BE′″ ofthe first pixel PX1′″ and second pixel PX2′″ may have a rectangularshape in a plan view (e.g., in a plane defined in the X and Ydirections). However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first emissionareas RE′″, the second emission areas GE′″), and the third emissionareas BE′″ may have a non-tetragonal polygonal shape, a circular shape,or an elliptical shape in a plan view. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate thatthe first emission areas RE′″, the second emission areas GE′″, and thethird emission areas BE′″ have substantially the same size. However,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts are not limitedthereto.

A third display area DA3 of a second side portion SS2 of the displaypanel 100 may be substantially the same as the second display area DA2of the first side portion SS1 of FIG. 14 , and thus, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a display device according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 differs from the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 1 based on a display panel 100 further includes thirdand fourth side portions SS3 and SS4. The embodiment of FIG. 15 willhereinafter be described, focusing mainly on the differences withexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 , the third sideportion SS3 may extend from a third side of a front portion FS. Thethird side may be a relatively shorter side of the display panel 100that is a lower side thereof (e.g., in the direction). The third sideportion SS3 may be bent along a third bending line BL3 on the third sideof the front portion FS and may have a third curvature. The third sideportion SS3 may have a similar structure as the first and second sideportions SS1, SS2 shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-14 .While the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 shows the third side of thefront portion FS as the lower side of the front portion FS (e.g., in theY direction), exemplary embodiments of the present inventive conceptsare not limited thereto.

The fourth side portion SS4 may extend from a fourth side of the frontportion FS. The fourth side may be a relatively shorter side of thedisplay panel 100 that is an upper side thereof in the direction). Thefourth side portion SS4 may be bent along a fourth bending line BL4 onthe fourth side of the front portion FS and may have a fourth curvature.The fourth curvature may be substantially the same as, or differentfrom, the third curvature. The fourth side portion SS4 may have asimilar structure as the first and second side portions SS1, SS2 shownin the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-14 . While the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 15 shows the fourth side of the from portion FS asthe upper side of the front portion FS, exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concepts are not limited thereto.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16 differs from the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 3 based on the display panel 100 further includingthird and fourth side portions SS3 and SS4. The exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 16 will hereinafter be described, focusing mainly on thedifferences with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 and repeateddescription of substantially identical elements will be omitted forconvenience of explanation.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16 , a front portion FSmay include only a first display area DA1. For example, the frontportion FS may not include a non-display area.

The third side portion SS3 may include a fourth display area DA4, whichdisplays an image, and a third non-display area NDA3, which does notdisplay an image. The fourth display area DA4 may be disposed on thelower side of the first display area DA1 (e.g., in the Y direction), andthe third non-display area NDA4 may be disposed on the lower side of thefourth display area DA4. The third non-display area NDA3 may be disposedalong the lower edge of the display panel 100.

The fourth side portion SS4 may include a fifth display area DA5, whichdisplays an image, and a fourth non-display area NDA4, which does notdisplay an image. The fifth display area DA5 may be disposed on theupper side of the first display area DA1 (e.g., in the Y direction), andthe fourth non-display area NDA4 may be disposed on the upper side ofthe fifth display area DA5. The fourth non-display area NDA4 may bedisposed along the upper edge of the display panel 100 (e.g., in the Ydirection).

The first and fourth display areas DA1 and DA4 may be divided by a thirdbending line BL3. For example, the first display area DA1 may be an areadisposed on the upper side of the third bending line BL3 (e.g., in the Ydirection), and the fourth display area DA4 may be an area disposed onthe lower side of the third bending line BL3 (e.g., in the Y direction).

The first and fifth display areas DA1 and DA5 may be divided by a fourthbending line BL3. For example, the first display area DA1 may be an areadisposed on the lower side of the fourth bending line BL4 (e.g., in theY direction), and the fifth display area DA5 may be an area disposed onthe upper side of the fourth bending line BL4 (e.g., in the Ydirection).

A sub-area SBA may be disposed on the lower side of the thirdnon-display area NDA3. A display driving circuit 200 and a displaycircuit board 300 may be disposed in the sub-area SBA.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 16 , since the frontportion FS, a first side portion SS1, a second side portion SS2, thethird side portion SS3, and the fourth side portion SS4 of the displaypanel 100 include the first display area DA1, a second display area DA2,a third display area DA3, the fourth display area DA4, and the fifthdisplay area DA5, respectively, a user can view an image not only fromthe front portion FS, but also from the first, second, third, and fourthside portions SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4, of the display panel 100. Theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 may have similar features in whichdisplay areas are disposed in the front portion FS and each of the firstfourth side portions SS1-SS4.

The fourth and fifth display areas DA4 and DA5 of the third and fourthside portions SS3 and SS4, respectively, may be substantially the sameas the second display area DA2 of the first side portion SS1 of any oneof the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 , andthus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted for convenience ofexplanation.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate that a display device 10 is a foldabledisplay device that can be folded in the X direction.

Referring to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 18 , the displaydevice 10 may be able to maintain a folded state and an unfolded state.The display device 10 may be in-folded so that the front surface of thedisplay device 10 may be disposed on the inside of the display device10. In this exemplary embodiment, parts of the front surface of thedisplay device 10 may be disposed to face each other. Alternatively, thedisplay device 10 may be out-folded so that the front surface of thedisplay device 10 may be disposed on the outside of the display device10. In this exemplary embodiment, portions of the rear surface of thedisplay device 10 may be disposed to face each other.

A first non-folding area NFA1 may be disposed on one side, for example,the right side, of a folding area FDA (e.g., in the X direction). Asecond non-folding area NFA2 may be disposed on the other side, forexample, the left side, of the folding area FDA (e.g., in the Xdirection).

First and second folding lines FOL1 and FOL2 may extend in the Ydirection, and the display device 10 may be folded in the X direction.As a result, since the length, in the X direction, a the display device10 may be reduced by about half, the display device 10 may haveincreased portability since a user may easily carry the display device10.

The direction in which the first and second folding lines FOL1 and FOL2extend is not particularly limited to the Y direction. For example, inother exemplary embodiments, the first and second folding lines FOL1 andFOL2 may extend in the X direction, and the display device 10 may befolded in the Y direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the length, inthe direction, of the display device 10 may be reduced by about half.Alternatively, the first and second folding lines FOL1 and FOL2 mayextend in a diagonal direction of the display device 10, such as in adirection between the X direction and the direction. In this exemplaryembodiment, the display device 10 may be folded into a triangular shape.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the first and second folding linesFOL1 and FOL2 extend in the Y direction, the length of the folding areaFDA in the X direction may be smaller than the length of the foldingarea FDA in the Y direction. The length of the first non-folding areaNFA1 in the X direction may be greater than the length of the foldingarea FDA in the X direction. The length of the second non-folding areaNFA2 in the X direction may be greater than the length of the foldingarea FDA in the X direction.

A first display area may be disposed on the front surface of the displaydevice 10. The first display area DA1′ may overlap with the folding areaFDA, the first non-folding area NFA1, and the second non-folding areaNFA2. Therefore, when the display device 10 is unfolded, an image may bedisplayed in the folding area FDA, the first non-folding area NFA1, andthe second non-folding area NFA2 of the display device 10 in a forwarddirection e.g., facing the front surface of the display device 10).

A second display area DA2′ may be disposed on the rear surface of thedisplay device 10. The second display area DA2′ may overlap with thesecond non-folding area NFA2. Therefore, when the display device 10 isfolded, an image may be displayed in the second non-folding area NFA2 ofthe display device 10 in the forward direction (e.g., facing the frontsurface of the display device 10).

In an exemplary embodiment, the first display area DA1′ of the foldingarea FDA of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 18 may besubstantially the same as the second display area DA2 of the first sideportion SS1 of any one of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5, 9, 10,11, 12, and 14 , and thus, a detailed description thereof will beomitted.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fabricating a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcepts. FIGS. 20 through 23 are cross-sectional views illustrating themethod of FIG. 19 .

A method of fabricating a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concepts will hereinafter bedescribed with reference to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 19through 23 .

Referring to FIG. 19 , in block S110, TFTs and a plurality of inorganicinsulating films are formed on a substrate.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 20 , a first substrateSUB1 is formed by depositing an organic material on a supportingsubstrate, a first buffer film BF1 is formed by depositing an inorganicmaterial on the first substrate SUB1, and a second substrate SUB2 isformed by depositing an organic material on the first buffer film BF1.For example, the first and second substrates SUB1 and SUB2 may includepolyimide. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto.

TFTs ST and a plurality of inorganic insulating films are formed on thesecond substrate SUB2. Each of the TFTs ST may include an active layerACT, a source electrode S, a drain electrode D, and a gate electrode G.The plurality of inorganic insulating films may include a second bufferfilm BF2, a first interlayer insulating film 141, and a secondinterlayer insulating film 142. Referring to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 20 , the gate insulating film 130 may be a first insulating filmthe first interlayer insulating film 141 may be a second insulatingfilm, and the second interlayer insulating, film 142 may be a thirdinsulating film.

A light-blocking layer BML is formed on the second substrate SUB2. In anexemplary embodiment, the light-blocking layer BML may be formed throughphotolithography. However, exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concepts are not limited thereto.

The second buffer film BF2 is formed by depositing an inorganic materialon the light-blocking layer BML.

In an exemplary embodiment, the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST areformed on the second buffer film BF2 through photolithography.

The gate insulating film 130 is formed by depositing an inorganicmaterial on the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST.

The gate electrodes G of the TFTs ST and scan lines, such as the firstand second scan lines SL1 and SL2 may be formed on the gate insulatingfilm 130 through photolithography. FIG. 20 illustrates only a secondscan initialization line GIL2 among the sub-scan lines of each of thefirst and second scan lines SL1 and SL2.

Since the gate insulating film 130 is etched using the gate electrodes Gof the TFTs ST, the gate insulating film 130 may be disposed between thegate electrodes G and the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST and betweenthe first and scan lines SL1 and SL2 and the second buffer film BF2.Also, since portions of the active layers ACT of the TFTs ST that arenot covered (e.g., are exposed) by the gate insulating film 130 aredoped with impurities ions, the exposed parts of the active layers ACTmay have conductivity. Accordingly, the source electrodes S and thedrain electrodes D of the TFTs ST that have conductivity may be formed.

An interlayer insulating film 140 which includes a first interlayerinsulating film 141 and a second interlayer insulating film 142 isformed by depositing an inorganic material on the gate electrodes G, thesource electrodes S, and the drain electrodes D of the TFTs ST, thefirst and second scan lines SL1 and SL2 and the second buffer film BF2.

Capacitor electrodes CAE are formed on the first interlayer insulatingfilm 141 through photolithography.

The second interlayer insulating film 142 is formed on the capacitorelectrodes CAE and the first interlayer insulating film 141.

Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 19 , in block S120 a hole of a crackprevention portion is formed by removing the plurality of inorganicinsulating films.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21 , a hole CPH of a crackprevention portion CPA, which exposes the second substrate SUB2, isformed by removing the second buffer film BF2, the first interlayerinsulating film 141, and the second interlayer insulating film 142through photolithography.

Also, first anode contact holes ANCT1, which expose the drain electrodesD of the TFTs ST, are formed by removing the first and second interlayerinsulating films 141 aryl 142 during the formation of the hole CPH ofthe crack prevention portion CPA.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hole CPH of the crack prevention portionCPA and the first anode contact holes ANCT1 may be formed at the sametime. Therefore, since an additional process of forming the hole CPH ofthe crack prevention portion CPA is not needed, the method ofmanufacturing the display device 10 may have an increased, efficiencyand reduced cost.

Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 19 , in block S130 a first organicfilm is formed on the TFTs and the plurality of inorganic films.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22 , first anodeconnecting electrodes ANDE1 and data lines, such as first to fourth datalines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4 are formed on the second interlayerinsulating film 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the first anodeconnecting electrodes ANDE1 and the data lines may be formed throughphotolithography. The first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 may beconnected to the drain electrodes D of the TFTs ST through the firstanode contact holes ANCT1.

A first organic film 160 is formed by depositing an organic material onthe first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 and the data lines, such asthe first to fourth data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, and DL4. The hole CPH ofthe crack prevention portion CPA may be filled with the first organicfilm 160.

Thereafter, referring again to FIG. 19 , in block S140 light-emittingelements, each including a first light-emitting electrode, alight-emitting layer, and a second light-emitting electrode, are formedon the first organic film.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 23 , second anode contactholes ANCT2, which expose the first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1through the first organic film 160, are formed. In art exemplaryembodiment, the second anode contact holes ANCT2 may be formed throughphotolithography.

Second anode connecting electrodes ANDE2 may be formed on the firstorganic film 160 through photolithography. The second anode connectingelectrodes ANDE2 may be connected to the first anode connectingelectrodes ANDE1 through the second anode contact holes ANCT2.

A second organic film 180 is formed by depositing an organic material onthe first anode connecting electrodes ANDE1 and the first organic film160.

Third anode contact holes ANCT3, which expose the second anodeconnecting electrodes ANDE2 through the second organic film 180 may beformed through photolithography.

First light-emitting electrodes 171 may be formed on the second organicfilm 180 through photolithography. The first light-emitting electrodes171 may be connected to the second anode connecting electrodes ANDE2through the third anode contact holes ANCT3.

A bank 190 may be formed on the second organic film 180 and the firstlight-emitting electrodes 171 through photolithography. The bank 190 maybe boned to cover the third anode contact holes ANCT3 and edges of eachof the first light-emitting electrodes 171.

Light-emitting layers 172 are formed on the first light-emittingelectrodes 171, and a second light-emitting electrode 173 is formed bydepositing a metallic material on the light-emitting layers 172 and thebank 190.

A first encapsulation film TFE1 is formed by depositing an inorganicmaterial on the second light-emitting electrode 173, a secondencapsulation film TFE2 is formed by depositing an organic material onthe first encapsulation film TFE1, and a third encapsulation film TFE3is formed by depositing an inorganic material on the secondencapsulation film TFE2.

As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 19 through 23 ,even if cracks are generated in at least one of the second buffer filmBF2, the first interlayer insulating film 141, and the second interlayerinsulating film 142, the propagation of the cracks may be preventedthrough the crack prevention portion CPA because the second buffer filmBF2, the first interlayer insulating film 141, and the second interlayerinsulating film 142 are not included (e.g., are removed) from the holeCPH of the crack prevention portion CPA.

In a display device and a method of fabricating the same according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, since the numberof pixels per unit area of a display area of each side portion isreduced to be smaller than the number of pixels per unit area of adisplay area of a front portion, space in which to arrange crackprevention portions in each side portion may be secured. Since cracksare generated in inorganic films in each side portion, the propagationof the cracks may be prevented by the crack prevention portions.

In a display device and a method of fabricating the same according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, since a bufferfilm and an insulating film are removed from the crack preventionportions, the propagation of any cracks in at least one of the bufferfilm and the insulating film is prevented by the crack preventionportions.

In a display device and a method of fabricating the same according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concepts, the size of thepixels in the display area of each side portion may be reduced to besmaller than the size of the pixels in the display area of the frontportion. Accordingly, even if the number of pixels per unit area of eachside portion is the be same as the number of pixels per unit area of thefront portion, the crack prevention portions may be arranged in eachside portion. Therefore, the propagation of cracks in inorganic filmsmay be prevented by the crack prevention portions without the need tosecure additional space for the crack prevention portions.

While the present inventive concepts have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it willbe understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changesin form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present inventive concepts as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panelincluding a front portion and at least one side portion that is bentfrom at least one side of the front portion, wherein the front portionincludes a first display area having first pixels disposed on asubstrate, the at least one side portion includes a second display areahaving second pixels disposed on the substrate and crack preventionportions that are disposed between adjacent second pixels in the seconddisplay area and expose an upper surface of the substrate, wherein thecrack prevention portions reduce a number of second pixels per unit areain the second display area; and a number of the first pixels per unitarea disposed in the first display area of the front portion is greaterthan the number of the second pixels per unit area disposed in thesecond display area of the at least one side portion.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein N second pixels are disposed between eachpair of adjacent crack prevention portions in a first direction, whereinN is a positive integer.
 3. The display device of claim 2, wherein Nsecond pixels are disposed between each pair of adjacent crackprevention portions in a second direction that intersects the firstdirection, wherein N is a positive integer.
 4. The display device ofclaim 3, wherein a size of each of the crack prevention portions issmaller than a combined size of N second pixels.
 5. The display deviceof claim 1, wherein the crack prevention portions are arranged in azigzag fashion.
 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein each of thecrack prevention portions is completely surrounded by the second pixels.7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the crack prevention portionsextend longitudinally in one direction.
 8. The display device of claim7, wherein the second pixels are arranged in the one direction.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein: the first pixels and the secondpixels each include first, second, third, and fourth emission areas; andshapes of the first, second, third, and fourth emission areas of each ofthe first pixels are different from shapes of the first, second, third,and fourth emission areas of each of the second pixels.
 10. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein P second pixels are completely surrounded bythe crack prevention portions, wherein P is a positive integer.
 11. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein at least one of scan lines and datalines are disposed between the second pixels and the crack preventionportions.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein: each of the secondpixels includes a thin-film transistor having an active layer, theactive layer is disposed on a buffer film of a substrate; a firstinsulating film is disposed on the active layer, the thin-filmtransistor further includes a gate electrode that is disposed on thefirst insulating film; a second insulating film is disposed on the gateelectrode; and a first organic film is disposed on a first connectionelectrode which is connected to a first electrode of the thin-filmtransistor.
 13. The display device of claim 12, wherein each of thecrack prevention portions includes a hole that exposes the substratethrough the buffer film and the second insulating film.
 14. The displaydevice of claim 13, wherein the first organic film is disposed to fillthe hole of each of the crack prevention portions.